This painting feels so delicate and soft and warm, like a cozy summer evening. I’ve been to the UK a couple times now and this painting feels to me how summer nights there feel. I also love the way this painting captures pure childlike curiosity and joy, and the way the girls blend in with the flowers and the lights. Apparently Singer-Sargent used to come outside every night to try to paint this scene and get an image of these girls playing among the flowers. I love all of his paintings and I love Isabella Stewart Gardner and their worlds but this is my favorite